Before we begin, can you introduce us Mortal Online 2 ?
Mortal Online it is a sandbox, open world, single server and WORLDWIDE game, in a medieval-fantasy universe (swords, dungeons, magic, etc.). A separate virtual world, where players will have to create their own story and increase their reputation (or not) through the gameplay that interests them. In summary, Mortal Online 2 is a first-person MMO with a meshing server (yes, yes, what Star Citizen claims to have invented) available for more than two years now.
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When and how did you discover the game?
I discovered the game at the end of 2020 via an advertisement on Facebookat that time the game was in Pre-Alpha, there wasn't much or many people but I liked the concept, and I was able to envisage the potential of this game. Since then I have never really off hook.
You and many players have over 1000 hours on this game, what makes you stay?
So I am very far from being the most active French speaker, I currently have around 2700 hours on the game since 2020, some accumulate beyond 6000 hours, but I think that after 1000 hours of play, these are the same reasons that make us all stay, the principle of competitive PvP on a single international server, the reputation of the character played and combat skills make us feel recognized after a victory, a sensation that is rarely found in other video games of the moment, which explains why Mortal is unique of its kind. Additionally, the sandbox aspect of the game means that each player is responsible for their own story. In short, if your gameplay is boring, then you are too.
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You created the first French-speaking guild still present in the game, is the pleasure of playing still intact?
It is less, but still present. I don't have as much appetite for researching content, war, dungeons, etc. anymore. like before, it's a certainty. After visiting all the locations in the game, doing all the dungeons, facing all the major guilds and alliances, there is obviously a little less fun playing. But our guild, the Empire, will never close its doors as long as the game works, because our aim is to offer gameplay to all French-speaking people who wish it through our ranks. Currently I find pleasure in training new players, introducing them to the game, participating in events community but above all savor the fruit of our work accomplished over all these years (the Empire owns one of the 12 castles present in the game, and was the first guild in the history of the game to take a castle by force).
Now let's talk geopolitics, can you give us an idea of the geopolitics in the game?
The politics of the game are extremely lively, and we should not underestimate the repercussions that a simple interaction between two players from two different clans can bring. Many Mortal players refer to this aspect of the game as “gameplay”. Game Of Thrones“, because as explicitly mentioned, political alliances and discussions between guild/alliance representatives will literally shape the daily gameplay of the game, by creating wars, or more discreetly by acting against the interests of a third party in order to destabilize his clan/alliance, etc. Many players and clans have had their adventures literally ruined by bad political decisions, so my advice for the future. guild leader on Mortal Online 2: stay humble, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and be wary of everyone, all the time.
What would you say to a player looking for an MMO right now, would you recommend Mortal Online 2 and if so, why?
I recommend Mortal Online 2 to anyone who has never had their hands on it literally and enjoys multiplayer games. It's a completely different genre of video game, certainly ultra-competitive by its nature (a la Tarkov / Albion Online, you lose your inventory in the event of death) but therefore, ultra satisfying during victories. It's a game in which we immerse ourselves and we are no longer going to give time to other games, already because they are quite time-consuming but above all because the other games do not bring this lot of emotions, so the majority of them will seem bland and uninteresting.
What do you think is the greatest quality of the game?
The greatest quality of the game, in my opinion, is the player's immersion in the game through his character. Indeed, the reputation aspect on a single international server involves many aspects that no other game can highlight. Some have made a name for themselves through their combat skills, others through their crafting talent, others through their output of farm impressive, etc. All the more satisfying as everyone starts their experience at the same level, in the tutorial with 0 skills, everything to do yourself according to your own preferences.
And its biggest flaw?
The biggest flaw of the game in my opinion will be linked to the development, sometimes too slow, or even too fast (rushing on certain aspects) therefore causing delays or false expectations, but we forgive them because they always end up rectifying the situation, then it remains a small studio which develops this game so you have to match your expectations with the reality on the ground.
Many players find the crafting system in the game very complete, can you tell us about it?
So the system of craft is in my opinion unrivaled on the MMO market today. We harvest the raw material, which we transform once, twice, three or four times, before making different alloys which will then make it possible to produce different items, whose stats vary depending on the materials used, the character's crafting level, etc. It's literally full-fledged gameplay, and no PvP/PvE without craft, some players are recognized by the whole playerbase of the game as being extraordinary craftsmen, true legends of the game who, however, almost never brandish swords.
What would make you stop gaming?
Honestly ? Probably Star Citizen when it comes out for good. Again, I've been gravitating towards Mortal Online since 2020, I don't see myself “stopping” the game, but there are periods where I will log in less frequently than usual. But once again, there is no equivalent on the market currently, so barring an emergency IRL, I don't think I'll stop Mortal Online 2 anytime soon.
Is the game suitable for players with a short playing time (the famous casu)?
Yes absolutely. It is not necessary to tryhard the game to get somewhere. However, the path will be longer and surely more dangerous as casual because the majority of players on Mortal are tryharders. But with a good group, or a good approach to gameplay, the game is quite affordable for those who only have a few hours a week to devote to it. You will still have to remain clear-minded about the objectives to be achieved, and also pay attention to the sieges on your buildings (which can be triggered within 24 hours).
On the contrary, is there content for hardcore gamers?
Absolutely, this game is suitable for hardcore gamers, it's a full loot hardcore PvP, there are no rules except that of chaos.
I have a friend who only plays the smoked “classes”. What is the skill mix cheat from the moment ? Do you have a little secret tip to give us?
So in my opinion, the best thing to do before creating your character is to find out. For RPG masters, nothing rocket science, character creation to allocate stats. For others, you will have to ask questions and watch a few tutorials or simply agree to start creating a character again. Ultimately, the main thing is that the player is comfortable with his build, if you like CaC, do a CaC, if your thing is magic, become a mage, don't reinvent yourself. Then, the game will itself show you its limits, what you can do or not, and therefore will unconsciously guide you towards your build final. Some in the Empire are already on their 10th character creation, others have had the same one since their arrival. THE builds meta are for experts in a certain type of gameplay (dungeon runner, farming, mounted combat…) and I will not recommend any of these builds to a new player, since they are very complicated to learn without any basis on Mortal Online.
What do you think of the economic model?
The economic model of the game (purchase + monthly subscription) has caused a lot of ink to flow in recent months. Often criticized, however, it allows a small studio like the one developing Mortal Online 2 to survive and continue its development. Additionally, the number of active players hasn't really changed since the monthly subscription was introduced. Personally, I pay for this subscription, even if I play less than before. I play the game, I love the game, I support it to grow. However, I believe that other solutions more advantageous for players could have been adopted before implementing the monthly subscription, which nevertheless remains a barrier to welcoming new players.
Tomorrow, you will be offered a developer position within the development team. What suggestions do you make to improve the game?
I think that currently the game lacks “life” on the server, there is no staff dedicated to animating the world and the players on a daily basis. GMs are present but for moderation purposes only, not to create content for players, or in-game world events. When we see the success of games like Helldiverse 2 for example, or a Game Master literally animates the content of the game on a daily basis, we can imagine that there is also something to do on a game like Mortal Online 2 at this level. Doing mob raids on towns, boss spawns in populated places, in-game events organized by the devs and not the players… all this could bring additional momentum to the game currently.
Do you know how the game plans to develop in the near future, what future new features will be?
The devs want to reach a level of sandbox never reached before. Boats, dragons, new lands, new combat features, etc. The game still has many years of development ahead of it, we will probably have to wait a long time before we see these features, but I think the best of the game is yet to come.